From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Investigations into steering roller failures, twisted rocker shafts, and steering rod tests for Phantom III cars.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 153\1\ scan0297 | |
| Date | 9th May 1939 | |
| S/W F.J. HARDY 13.00 Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} To Ex. from Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} P.III. Steering Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}9/H10539 Copy to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}C. Rollers. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}Der I am in receipt of EX.4/HG.9.5.39. I was going to write to you to-day on the same subject because I had seen a report of the failure of a roller of the modified/ type. There is also the question of the rocker shafts as I note that the one on Holmes's car was found twisted and I do not seem to have heard what the result of the investigation was into this on the Company's cars which I asked to be investigated some fortnight or more ago. I have also been expecting to receive a report as the result of the bump tests when the bent steering rod is fitted instead of the straight one. You told us last week verbally the result of the tests with the standard straight rod but I have not heard any more. The point is that, if we are going to have to change rods as well as rollers, we had better do it all at the same time. I feel quite confident that we must give up the idea that there has been something abnormal in the way of an accident when a shaft is found twisted because, as Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} rightly said, there is no reason to suppose that P.III cars are receiving worse treatment in the hands of customers than the cars we have been manufacturing for 30 years or so. I suggest we discuss this matter when I am at Derby next Tuesday. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} | ||